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Q: What are Insulating Concrete Forms?
Q: Why is Eco
Block better than other ICF’s in Australia?
Q: How does
the homeowner benefit from this type of construction?
Q: What are
the design possibilities and/or limitations with ECO-Block?
Q: Does it
cost more to build this way?
Q: Is
ECO-Block a difficult system?
Q: What is
the average R-value of ICF walls?
Q: Won’t the
foam burn or give off harmful emissions?
Q: What about
comfort?
Q: How do
ECO-Block homes resist tornado and hurricane-force winds?
Q: Is this
building technique approved by code organizations?
Q: Can
ECO-Block homes be built in earthquake areas?
Q: Is
ECO-Block considered an environmentally friendly method of building?
Q: Is it
difficult for subcontractors to work with this material?
Q: Can
ECO-Block be used for tilt-up applications?
Q: Can
termites eat through the foam in an ECO-Block wall?
Q: Will it
take longer to build my home with ECO-Block?
Q: Can I
leave ECO-Block exposed to ultraviolet rays for extended periods of
time?
Q: When
building with ECO-Block, will mold and mildew in my new building be a
problem?
Q: Can radius
and angled walls be constructed with ECO-Block ICFs?
Q: What are Insulating Concrete Forms?
A: Insulating Concrete Forms (ICFs) are hollow EPS (expanded
polystyrene) blocks or panels, which are stacked into the shape of the
exterior walls (and or internal walls) of a residential or commercial
building. Reinforcing steel is added into the cavity inside between the
two foam layers to reinforce the concrete core, this cures and hardens
into a single monolithic core. The foam panel stays in place. This
combination of concrete, steel and foam creates an incredibly strong and
energy-efficient structure, without the need to add insulation.
Q: Why is Eco
Block better than other ICF’s in Australia?
A: Not all ICF’s are the same, ECO Block
is stronger and faster because it offers a built in battening system
with multiple connectors what snap lock into place where required
allowings a completed wall to be direct fixed into, just like a
conventional wall. The 65mm high density panels offer trouble free
vibrating when consolidating the core during a concrete pour, reducing
sideways movement and ultimately a straighter stronger wall.
ECO Block panels also offer higher
thermal performance of R 3.74 than any other ICF in Australia.
ECO Block is manufactured locally and
distributed throughout Australia.
ECO Block has competent and experienced
technical support staff, we provide on site training and technical
support to every new builder.
Q:
How does
the homeowner benefit from this type of construction?
A: ECO Block homes are safer as they have a continuous concrete core
which is up to 100% stronger than a conventional concrete block wall and
have maintained structural integrity in real natural disasters such as
tornadoes, hurricanes, cyclones, earthquakes, fires and floods. Ask us
about the homes that survived Hurricane Katrina…..we have over 10 years
of project photos.
ECO Block Homeowners will save up to 45%
of heating and cooling costs compared to conventional homes as they are
double insulated, they are also cleaner and healthier as they can be
completely sealed preventing dust, pollen or other contaminants getting
into your home.
Technical Information/Support -
Homeowners who wish to enjoy the benefits of an Eco Block home should
talk to us directly about Designers, Engineers and Builders who we know
have experience in designing and building to get the very best out ECO
Block. Our preferred contractors will give you the best value for money
on your projects.
If you already have a relationship with a
Designer or Builder for your next home, it is very important that they
have the latest technical information, we have recently updated our
Engineering & Design Guide, Full Technical Manual and Onsite Training
Manuals which are available by request online or contact us directly and
we will arrange product presentations with the latest updates with them.
An ECO-Block Building provides a
stronger, healthier, quieter indoor environment
Q:
What are
the design possibilities and/or limitations with ECO-Block?
A: There are few limitations with ECO Block as it is simply a formwork
system, it is light and easy you create the shape and fill the void with
reinforcing steel and concrete. It can also be shaped molded or curved
to suit any design.
The solid concrete core in an ECO-Block
wall which can be anywhere from 100mm to 600mm thick and is
substantially stronger than traditional masonry wall, this combined with
increased insulation values means that you can have larger door and
window openings than a conventional building. All of the lintels and
structural elements can be inside the wall cavity, floors can also be
cantilevered over ECO Block walls ( refer the Designers & Engineers
Manual)
Eco Block also has furring strips every
200mm in the panel, which allows you to screw fix directly into both
sides of the block and attach any finish i.e. gyb rock or render or
timber to the inside or custom orb, brick veneer, stucco and stone or
render to the outside. ECO Block offers the greatest design scope, with
the greatest strength. There is no limit to style or form.
Q:
Does it
cost more to build this way?
A: An ECO Block home will cost more to build than a similar sized timber
frame home. Any difference in the material costs will be recovered
through significantly lower utility and energy bills via downsizing of
heating and cooling equipment. The labour cost should be reduced as ECO
Block houses can be constructed up to 30% Faster. It is not uncommon for
all of the exterior walls on an ECO Block house to be up and poured in
two weeks.
Maintenance costs are much lower, ECO
Block buildings are more moisture resistant, there is no timber to rot
or warp. Most wall and ceiling insulation in conventional homes is
installed in a blanket form, which is know so sag and become less
efficient with increases in moisture causing higher heating and cooling
expenses. Eco Block is rigid and double insulated providing constant
home comfort for the life of a building.
Termite Protection in Australia is a
multimillion dollar industry. Media reports recently stated that 1 in 4
houses in Queensland are severely affected and will require major work.
Termites are attracted to the moisture content in timber and other
porous building materials. ECO Block is made from high density EPS and
is impervious to moisture (stays dry),the concrete slab and solid
concrete core in the wall prevent egress into the building at ground
level and when completed all of the EPS will be enclosed providing a
barrier to a substrate with no nutritional value. Local regulations do
require minimum protection, but in the history of concrete construction
there are no known cases of lost structural integrity through Termites
Q:
Is
ECO-Block a difficult system?
A: No. ECO Block provides insulation, battens and solid concrete core in
1 simple system. The blocks are light weight and stack like Lego™, braces
are then attached to support the wall before the concrete core is poured
the wall is then adjusted level and straight. We provide experienced
onsite training and technical support to every new builder. ECO Block is
Simpler, Faster Better
Q: What is
the average R-value of ICF walls?
A: Walls made of ICFs perform, on average, like a wood-frame wall
constructed with R-3.780 insulation. But that’s not the whole story. The
equivalent R-value performance of ICFs consists of three factors. First
is the R-value of the expanded polystyrene. Second, the thermal
stability of concrete walls reduces the temperature fluctuations and,
consequently, the heat load requirements that are images to wood-frame
buildings. Finally, air leakage (infiltration) can account for 20 to 40
percent of the heat load requirements of a wood-frame building. ICFs
eliminate this air infiltration through the wall assembly. As a result,
with the combined performance of the R-value of the expanded
polystyrene, the stabilizing effects of the thermal mass of the
concrete, and the reduced air infiltration provide significantly
superior insulation to all other wall systems.
Q: Won’t the
foam burn or give off harmful emissions?
A: The foams in ICFs are manufactured with flame-retardant additives.
The National Research Council reviewed the numerous existing studies of
fire emissions and concluded that the emissions from polystyrene foams
are no more toxic than those of typical softwoods used in home
construction.
Q:
What about
comfort?
A: Concrete walls built with ICFs effectively buffer a house’s interior
from the outdoors. The thick ICF sandwich of a massive material
(concrete) with a light one (foam) sharply cuts fluctuations in
temperature, air infiltration and noise. ICFs keep the inside more
comfortable and less drafty than ordinary wood-frame walls. With regard
to noise, studies have shown that compared to a typical wood-frame
house, only about one-third as much sound penetrates an ICF wall
Q:
How do
ECO-Block homes resist tornado and hurricane-force winds?
A: ECO Blocks greatest strength is its solid concrete core from 10mm and
up to 600mm thick.The greatest hazard to homeowners during Cyclones,
Tornadoes and Hurricanes is the penetration of debris driven by high
winds. Recent laboratory testing at Texas Tech University compared the
impact resistance of residential concrete wall construction to
conventionally framed walls. ICFs and solid concrete masonry walls
successfully demonstrated the strength and mass to resist the impact of
wind-driven debris. Wood-framed walls failed to stop the penetration of
airborne hazards.
Q: Is this
building technique approved by code organizations?
A: Yes. Eco Block meets the requirements of the Building Code of
Australia. The 2000 and 2003 International Residential Codes have a
section on ICF construction. ECO Block is also an approved masonry wall
system by the Queensland State Government.
Q:
Can
ECO-Block homes be built in earthquake areas?
A: Yes. If properly reinforced, an ICF home can provide significant
protection during earthquakes. If you live in an earthquake zone, you
should consult a structural engineer to determine what the reinforcement
requirements are in your area.
Q: Is
ECO-Block considered an environmentally friendly method of building?
A: In a building’s life cycle (from construction to demolition); the
greatest ecological impact is the amount of fuel needed to heat and cool
the home. Insulating Concrete Homes are a preferred environmental choice
because of significant savings in natural resources needed to maintain a
comfortable temperature. Building with Eco Block (ICF’s) will reduce up
to 40% the consumption of green house gas emissions.
Q: Is it
difficult for subcontractors to work with this material?
A: No. Electricians, Plumbers and Plasterers adapt easily to working in
a house with ICF walls. In fact many of them prefer it as it is soft
light and clean to work with, with no need to drill or grind when
installing services. Chase cuts are made where services are required and
the EPS just pulls away allowing flush boxes and other fitting to be
connected directly to the concrete core.
Q: Can
ECO-Block be used for tilt-up applications?
A: Yes. The ECO-Block system for insulating tilt-up concrete panels
offers the speed of tilt-up construction with the benefits of an ICF
wall. After setting the panels in the form, you install reinforcement
and embed, and place the concrete. Once the concrete achieves the
specified strength, the wall is lifted in place and screw-ties directly
to the web system on the panel. For each additional inch of concrete
penetration, attach 25mm extensions to the web.
Q: Can
termites eat through the foam in an ECO-Block wall?
A: Expanded polystyrene (EPS) has no
nutritional value to insects, including termites. If left exposed and
untreated, they may attempt to nest in the EPS foam. Foam is approved
for use below grade, as well as above grade, by all building codes as
long as “an approved method” of protecting the foam plastic and
structure from termite damage is provided. Deciding what constitutes an
approved method, however, is left to local code officials.
One measure agreed upon by all parties is
the need for a minimum 152mm bare concrete inspection strip at grade
level. This is required if foam is used below grade or only above grade.
This is extremely easy to accomplish with ECO-Block, since it is a
panelised system. A 152mm horizontal strip of EPS is cut out to allow
the formation of a solid concrete barrier at grade. This creates a solid
concrete barrier, forcing the termite to the outside of the foam where
it is visible.
Additional steps, together or separately,
may meet the “approved method” requirements:
• Protect the foam with a termite barrier made from stainless steel
mesh.
• Install “bait systems” on exposed concrete strips or treat the soil as
usual.
• Treat footings and backfill with termicides.
• Eliminate as much wood in the structure as possible by using steel and
plastic replacements.
Remember, in a solid concrete home there
is little to eat. The concrete also acts as a solid barrier to termite
infestation inside the home.
Q:
Will it
take longer to build my home with ECO-Block?
A: Experienced ICF crews report that building ICF homes can actually
take less time than using wood-frame construction. The ICF construction
method eliminates several steps — such as sheathing and insulating the
exterior walls — that are necessary with wood-frame construction.
WE HAVE BUILT SINGLE STORY HOMES IN UNDER
6 DAYS
OR INSTALLED THE EQUIVALENT OF 25,000 BRICKS IN JUST 10 DAYS WITH 4 MEN
INCLUDING THE PLACEMENT OF CONCRETE
Q: Can I
leave ECO-Block exposed to ultraviolet rays for extended periods of
time?
A: Exposure of up to a year should not pose a serious problem. However,
a light oxidation layer will develop on the surface of the forms after
extended periods of exposure. This oxidation does not indicate any
detrimental effects to the wall form. However, you may need to use a
water spray to clean the oxidized layer prior to brushing the surface
with a broom to provide a clean bonding surface.
Q:
When
building with ECO-Block, will mold and mildew in my new building be a
problem?
A: ECO-Block ICFs can significantly contribute to a mould-free
environment due to the inorganic nature of the material. They also
create a very tight building envelope, reducing unintentional air
infiltration. In high-humidity environments, interior moisture should
then be controlled through the use of spot removal (e.g., bathroom fans)
and properly sized air conditioning units that will cycle on long enough
to dehumidify the air.
Q: Can radius
and angled walls be constructed with ECO-Block ICFs?
Radius walls are easily constructed by mitre-cutting the form at the
proper angle and using foam to join the edges.
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